12 - It's Not Right

After her father gave her the last of his speech, she was escorted out. She felt numb and out of sorts. As she passed through the hanging walkway, she looked out into the garden with the maze. It was raining and she wondered if he was still out there waiting for her. She stopped suddenly.

"Lady Anemone?" Miss Sophie called out to her. She didnt respond as her eyes were focusing towards the maze. If he was still there... maybe he can help her on what to do. Or maybe just run away and be a mercenary, she thought foolishly. Was swordsmanship really something she wanted badly?

She felt something hot and wet roll down her cheek. As she touched her cheek, she realized she was crying. Anemone was filled with the urge to go now. She lifted her skirt... and ran towards the maze.

"Lady Anemone!" she heard Miss Sophie called out. The heavy rain fell on her as she ran through the maze. The maids calling for her could be heard in the distance but then silenced by the downpour as she ran further. She didn't know how long it had started raining but the ground was soft and her heels kept sinking in.

The branches on the hedges scraped her face and arms as she kept making quick turns around the maze. She finally reached where the fountain was and looked around. He wasn't here. Turning, she ran towards the anemone field. As she didn't look to see where she stepped, she tripped over a loose rock in the paved road.

She fell on her hands and knees, skinning them. Anemone looked down to see she was bleeding and brushed off the debris. While she was wiping the rest, she felt the rain no longer hitting her skin. Looking up, she saw the fairy smiling at her under a black umbrella.

"Anemone, why are you out in this rain?" Flustered, she wordlessly gestured but her hand was caught by his free one. He frowned as he saw the open skin. "You're hurt!"

"Yes, I wasn't looking where I was going," she responded. He pulled her up and started leading her back into the fountain garden near a gazebo. She looked around as she didn't know there was a gazebo built here. As he pushed her down on the chair, he placed the umbrella on the floor.

He spread her hands open, showing her red palms. "Close your eyes," he commanded. She complied and felt his soft fingers stroke her palms.

"What are you doing?" she whispered nervously. She felt him lift her fingers, to feel warm air blowing on them. Anemone pulled her hands away but he held them tight and touched his lips to her palms. She started giggling and tried to pull away. "Stop! That feels ticklish!" she exclaimed as she opened her eyes. Her cheeks flushed hotly as she met his narrowed eyes. He had placed his cheek on her hand.

"I'm healing you." His voice came out low, as if he was tired. She looked towards her hands. There were no cuts. He let her hands go as she looked at them closely.